Powered toothbrush with associated oral solution dispenser mechanism

ABSTRACT

An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, includes a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, the housing having a recess therein for receiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed in the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle extending from the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and from the housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/325,014, filed Sep. 26, 2001 by AndrewTybinkowski et al. for POWERED TOOTHBRUSH WITH ASSOCIATED FLUIDDISPENSER MECHANISM, which patent application is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to dental apparatus in general, and moreparticularly to toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toothbrushes are well known in the art. In general, a toothbrushcomprises a head having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, anda handle adapted to be grasped by the hand of a user.

Powered toothbrushes are also well known in the art. In general, apowered toothbrush comprises a replaceable head having a plurality ofbristles extending therefrom, and a handle adapted to be grasped by thehand of the user. The replaceable head is adapted to be removablymounted on the handle so that a driver mechanism located within thehandle can drive the head longitudinally and/or laterally and/orrotationally, whereby to aid in brushing the teeth.

In the typical situation, dentifrice (e.g., toothpaste, tooth powder,etc.) is applied to the bristles of the toothbrush (either manual orpowered) prior to the commencement of brushing. This is generallyaccomplished by grasping the handle of the toothbrush in one hand andthe dentifrice container in the other hand, and then manually applyingthe dentifrice to the bristles of the toothbrush. Once the user hasapplied the dentifrice to the toothbrush, the user then commencesbrushing the teeth.

Thus, with conventional manual and powered toothbrushes, the dentifriceis generally held in a container separate from the toothbrush, andapplying the dentifrice to the bristles of the toothbrush is atwo-handed operation.

It has been recognized, for both manual and powered toothbrushes, thatit would be advantageous to provide an improved toothbrush having asupply of liquid dentifrice located within the handle of the toothbrush,and a dispenser mechanism for dispensing the stored liquid dentifrice tothe bristles of the toothbrush for application directly to the teeth.

In the past, there have been a number of proposals for achieving theforegoing, but all of these proposals are believed to suffer from one ormore significant disadvantages, including ineffectiveness of operation,lack of durability, unattractiveness of appearance, prohibitive cost ofmanufacture, cross-contamination, etc.

Furthermore, with respect to powered toothbrushes, these proposals havegenerally required that the handle of the powered toothbrush be designedwith dentifrice dispensing in mind. In other words, none of theseproposals is believed to have addressed the issue of how anon-dentifrice-dispensing powered toothbrush can be quickly and easilyconverted into a dentifrice-dispensing powered toothbrush.

In addition to the foregoing, in some circumstances substances otherthan dentifrice may need to be applied to the teeth and/or to the tissueadjacent to the teeth (e.g., the gums) or to other tissue accessible bythe oral cavity (e.g., the throat, etc.). By way of example, but notlimitation, such substances may include whitening or bleaching agents,anticariogenic (i.e., anti-cavity) agents, such as fluoride, ormedicinal agents, such as an antibacterial agent, a local or systemicantibiotic, etc. All such agents and dentifrices are collectivelyreferred to hereinafter as “oral solutions”. In this respect it shouldbe appreciated that the term “solution” is not meant to be limiting, inthe sense that it is intended to cover any flowable material consistentwith the present invention, e.g., fluids, liquids, suspensions, gels,etc.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide animproved powered toothbrush having a supply of liquid oral solutionassociated with the handle of the toothbrush, and a dispenser mechanismfor dispensing the stored solution to the bristles of the toothbrush fordelivery directly to the teeth, both prior to and during brushing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a oral solutiondispensing toothbrush adapted to utilize replaceable, oral solutionstoring cartridges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a solutiondispensing toothbrush which is effective in operation, durable,attractive in appearance, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatuswhereby a non-solution dispensing powered toothbrush can be quickly andeasily upgraded into a dispensing powered toothbrush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the present invention are addressed by theprovision and use of a novel solution dispenser mechanism which can beused with the handle of a conventional powered toothbrush, whereby toquickly and easily provide a solution-dispensing powered toothbrush.

The solution dispensed by the dispenser mechanism may be in variousstates, e.g., liquids, gels, pastes, etc. Furthermore, the solutiondispensed by the solution dispenser mechanism may serve a variety offunctions, e.g., cleaning (such as dentifrice), whitening or bleaching(such as a bleaching agent), anticariogenic (i.e., anti-cavity, such asfluoride), medicinal (e.g., antibacterial), etc.

With the above objects in view, a feature of the invention is theprovision of an oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to apowered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon. Theapparatus comprises a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, thehousing being adapted for receiving a cartridge containing the oralsolution, a pump disposed on the housing for moving the oral solutionfrom the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle mounted on the housing andadapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and fromthe housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnectwith the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, tofacilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oralsolution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provideda powered toothbrush comprising: a handle having a drive couplingmounted thereon, a housing fixed to the handle, the housing beingadapted for receiving a cartridge containing an oral solution, a pumpdisposed on the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge,an outlet nozzle mounted on the housing and adapted to permit movementof the oral solution from the pump and from the housing, and a headhaving bristles thereon and interconnected with the handle drivecoupling and the housing outlet nozzle, whereby to facilitate poweredmovement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from thecartridge to proximate the bristles.

In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there inprovided a method for simultaneously effecting oral scrubbing and theapplication of an oral solution. The method comprises the steps ofproviding a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mountedthereon, and an oral solution dispenser apparatus comprising a housingadapted for attachment to the handle, the housing being adapted forreceiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed onthe housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, an outletnozzle mounted on the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oralsolution from the pump and from the housing, attaching the housing tothe handle, providing a head having bristles thereon and interconnectingthe head with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle,providing a cartridge containing the oral solution and connecting thecartridge to the housing and into communication with the pump,activating the powered toothbrush drive coupling to effect poweredmovement of the bristles, and operating the pump to move the oralsolution from the cartridge, through the pump and outlet nozzle, and outof the head proximate the bristles.

In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there isprovided a method for simultaneously effecting oral scrubbing and theapplication of an oral solution, the method comprising the steps ofproviding a powered toothbrush comprising a handle having a drivecoupling mounted thereon, a housing fixed to the handle, the housingbeing adapted for receiving a cartridge containing an oral solution, apump disposed on the housing for moving the oral solution from thecartridge, an outlet nozzle mounted on the housing and adapted to permitmovement of the oral solution from the pump and on the housing,providing a head having bristles thereon and interconnecting the headwith the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, providinga cartridge containing the oral solution and connecting the cartridge tothe housing and into communication with the pump, activating the poweredtoothbrush drive coupling to effect powered movement of the bristles,and operating the pump to move the oral solution from the cartridge,through the pump end outlet nozzle, and out of the head proximate thebristles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbe more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1-5A illustrate a conventional powered toothbrush;

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate a novel replaceable head and a novel oral solutiondispenser which are adapted to be mounted to the handle of theconventional powered toothbrush shown in FIGS. 1-5A;

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate construction details of the novel replaceablehead shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A;

FIGS. 15, 15A, 16 and 16A illustrate construction details of the noveldispenser shown in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 17-21 and 21A illustrate construction details of a cartridge forcontaining a supply of oral solution; and

FIGS. 22-38 illustrate an alternative arrangement in which the noveldispenser is intended to be mounted to the handle of a conventionalpowered toothbrush while in the field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Looking first at FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a conventional poweredtoothbrush 5. Conventional powered toothbrush 5 generally comprises areplaceable head 10 and a handle 15. Replaceable head 10 (FIGS. 1, 2 and4) generally comprises a stem 20 having a plurality of bristles 25extending outwardly from a distal end thereof. Handle 15 (FIGS. 1, 3 and5) has an elongated body 26 (FIG. 5) that includes a driver mechanism(not shown) located within the handle. This driver mechanism powers adrive coupling 30 (FIGS. 5 and 5A) extending out a distal end of handlebody 26 whereby, when a replaceable head 10 is mounted on drive coupling30 and the handle's driver mechanism is actuated, e.g., with button 31(FIG. 5), the handle's driver mechanism can drive replaceable head 10longitudinally and/or laterally and/or rotationally. Such drivermechanisms are of the sort well known in the art.

In accordance with the present invention, and looking now at FIGS. 6-10,there is provided a novel replaceable head 100 (FIGS. 6, 8, 9 and 9A)and a novel solution dispenser 200 (FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 9A and 10) which areadapted to be used with the handle 15 of a conventional poweredtoothbrush, whereby to provide a novel solution-dispensing poweredtoothbrush. As will be discussed in further detail below, novelreplaceable head 100 is adapted to be mounted to the handle's drivecoupling 30 whereby the replaceable head may be driven (e.g.,longitudinally and/or laterally and/or rotationally) in the usualfashion. At the same time, however, novel replaceable head 100 is alsoadapted to receive a solution provided by solution dispenser 200, whichis preferably formed integral with handle 15 or snap-mounted onto handle15 or otherwise attached, so that solution may be dispensed to thebristles of the replaceable head 100 for application to the teeth. Inaccordance with the present invention, the solution dispensed bydispenser 200 may be in various states, e.g., liquids, gels, pastes,etc. Furthermore, the solution dispensed by dispenser 200 may serve avariety of functions, e.g., cleaning (such as dentifrice), whitening orbleaching (such as a bleaching agent), anticariogenic (i.e.,anti-cavity, such as fluoride), medicinal (e.g., antibacterial), etc.

More particularly, and looking now at FIGS. 6, 6A and 11-14, replaceablehead 100 comprises a stem 105 having a distal end 110 and a proximal end115. A plurality of bristles 120 extend outwardly from stem 105generally adjacent to the distal end of the stem. A mount 122 isconnected to the proximal end 115 of the stem 105. A passageway 125 isformed in the distal end 110 of stem 105. One end of passageway 125opens adjacent to, and preferably amidst, bristles 120, and the otherend of passageway 125 connects to a fluid conduit 127 which runs alongthe length of the stem 105. The other end of fluid conduit 127 connectsto a passageway 128 (FIGS. 6, 6A and 12) formed in mount 122. It will beappreciated that, on account of the foregoing construction, fluidintroduced into passageway 128 in mount 122 may flow through thatpassageway, through fluid conduit 127, and then through passageway 125so as to exit the stem adjacent to, and preferably amidst, bristles 120.

Stem 105 also includes an opening 129 (FIGS. 6 and 6A) in its proximalend 115, whereby replaceable head 100 may be mounted to the handle'sdrive coupling 30 (FIG. 8).

Looking next at FIGS. 8, 8A, 15, and 15A, fluid dispenser 200 comprisesa housing 205 which generally includes a pump 210 received in apump-receiving recess 212 (FIG. 15), and a cartridge-receiving recess215 for receiving a cartridge 217 containing a supply of oral solution.A pair of spring-loaded ball detents 218 (FIG. 15A) releasably hold thecartridge 217 in cartridge-receiving recess 215.

Pump 210 (FIGS. 16, 16A) comprises at least one flexible wall 220partially defining a central chamber 225, a pair of check valves 230,235, an outlet port 240 (preferably including an O-ring seal 241 such asis shown in FIGS. 7 and 16 for sealing with the walls of passageway 128)and an inlet needle 245. Pump 210 essentially operates as follows:

-   -   (1) when needle 245 is in communication with an appropriate        supply of oral solution, and the at least one flexible wall 220        is initially pressed inwardly, check valve 230 permits air        inside chamber 225 to be expelled out outlet port 240 while        check valve 235 prevents air inside chamber 225 from being        expelled out through needle 245;    -   (2) when the at least one flexible wall 220 is thereafter        released, check valve 235 permits solution to be drawn into        chamber 225 through needle 245 while check valve 230 prevents        air or fluid from being drawn into chamber 225 from outlet port        240;    -   (3) when the at least one flexible wall 220 is thereafter        pressed inwardly again, check valve 230 permits fluid inside        chamber 225 to be expelled out outlet port 240 while check valve        235 prevents air or fluid within chamber 225 from being expelled        out through needle 245; and    -   (4) when the at least one flexible wall 220 is thereafter        released again, check valve 235 permits additional solution to        be drawn into chamber 225 through needle 245 while check valve        230 prevents air or fluid from being drawn into chamber 225 from        outlet port 240.

Thus, it will be seen that by connecting needle 245 to an appropriatesupply of fluid, and by thereafter repeatedly depressing and releasingthe pump's at least one flexible wall 220 in an in-and-out fashion, pump210 causes fluid to be drawn from the oral solution supply and to beexpelled from outlet port 240, while preventing fluid from being drawninto outlet port 240 and expelled out inlet needle 245.

Pump 210 (FIG. 16) is positioned in recess 212 (FIG. 15) in housing 205so that the pump's outlet port 240 extends out the distal end of housing205, and so that the pump's needle 245 extends into the housing'scartridge-receiving recess 215 (FIG. 7). In this way, when the proximalend of replaceable head 100 is connected to the distal end of housing205, fluid leaving the pump's outlet port 240 can pass into passageway128 of replaceable head 100 for subsequent delivery to the region ofbristles 120. Additionally, when a cartridge 217 is disposed in thehousing's cartridge-receiving recess 215, needle 245 can access the oralsolution contained in cartridge 217.

Preferably, the relative dimensions of the housing's cartridge-receivingrecess 215 and needle 245 are coordinated with one another so that thesharp tip of needle 245 is safely shielded within recess 215 (FIGS. 7and 8). In addition, the dimensions of recess 215 and needle 245 arepreferably formed so that fingers, both large and small, will beprohibited from contacting the sharp tip of needle 245. Thisconstruction constitutes an important safety feature of the presentinvention.

In one form of the invention, solution dispenser 200 is intended to bepermanently attached to, or formed integral with, powered toothbrushhandle 15, e.g., such as at the time of the manufacture of poweredtoothbrush handle 15. Such a construction is shown in FIGS. 8-10.Alternatively, and as will hereinafter be discussed in detail below,solution dispenser 200 may be snap-mounted onto handle 15, or otherwiseattached to handle 15, after manufacture of handle 15, e.g., by theuser.

Cartridge 217 is shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 17-21 and 21A. Cartridge217 generally comprises a housing 250 (FIG. 17), a bladder 255 (FIG. 20)and a cap 260 (FIG. 21).

Referring to FIG. 17, it will be seen that the housing 250 comprises ahollow, elongated body 265 having a distal end 270 and a proximal end275. Distal end 270 is open. Proximal end 275 is closed off by anelement 280 (FIGS. 18 and 19) which includes a passageway 285 extendingbetween the interior and exterior of body 265. Passageway 285 provides apath for air to pass into the interior of housing 250, as willhereinafter be described in further detail.

Referring to FIG. 20, it will be seen that the bladder 255 comprises anelongated body having a distal end 287 and a proximal end 288. Distalend 287 is open. Proximal end 288 is closed. The bladder's body ispreferably formed with a bellows-like construction, which helps hold thebody in the generally open (i.e., non-collapsed) shape shown in FIG. 20prior to filling of the bladder with fluid. In addition, thisconstruction helps keep the bladder's body open as fluid is withdrawnfrom the cartridge during use, so as to reduce the risk that some fluidmay be trapped in the proximal portion of the bladder. In essence, thisbellows-like construction helps provide directional control to thecollapse of bladder 255 as fluid is withdrawn from the bladder, withbladder 255 collapsing primarily longitudinally rather than primarilyradially.

Cap 260 is shown in FIG. 21. Cap 260 comprises a generally cylindricalresilient body 292 having a thin end wall section 294. On account of theforegoing construction, it will be appreciated that cap 260 comprises arelatively thin septum or seal for closing off the distal end of bladder255, as will hereinafter be discussed. Furthermore, by formingcylindrical body 292 out of a resilient material, cap 260 can sealaround needle 245 when the needle extends through the cap, as willhereinafter be discussed.

Cartridge 217 is intended to be assembled as follows. First, bladder 255(FIG. 20) is inserted into the interior of housing 250 (FIG. 17). Thenthe distal end 287 of bladder 255 is pulled back over the outside of thedistal end 270 of housing 250. In other words, the distal end of bladder255 is everted so that it covers both the inside and outside surfaces ofthe distal end of housing 250. Then bladder 255 is filled with fluid.Finally, cap 260 (FIG. 21) is pressed into the mouth of housing 250 andbladder 255 so as to close off the interior of bladder 255.

The oral solution dispensing powered toothbrush is intended to be usedas follows.

First, a replaceable head 100 is connected to handle 15 and dispenser200, so that the handle's drive coupling 30 is in engagement with thereplaceable head 100 (FIG. 8), and so that the dispenser's outlet port240 is in communication with the replaceable head's passageway 128(FIGS. 6, 6A). Then a fresh oral solution cartridge 217 is inserted intothe dispenser 200. This is done by inserting cartridge 217, distal endfirst, into the housing's cartridge-receiving recess 215 (FIG. 9A). Ascartridge 217 is advanced within the cartridge-receiving recess 215, thecartridge's cap 260 (FIG. 21) engages the sharp proximal tip of thepump's needle 245 and, upon further distal movement of cartridge 217,cap 260 is punctured by needle 245 (FIG. 8). Further distal movement ofcartridge 217 continues until the cartridge is securely attached tofluid dispenser 200, with the solution in cartridge 217 being incommunication with pump 210. Spring-loaded ball detents 218 (FIG. 15A)releasably hold cartridge 217 in cartridge-receiving recess 215.

Thereafter, in use, the user depresses and releases the pump's at leastone flexible side wall 220 several times so as to manually advancesolution from the interior of bladder 255, through pump 210, and outstem 105 amidst bristles 120, whereby the oral solution contained inbladder 255 will be applied to the teeth. In this respect, it will beappreciated that the two check valve construction of pump 210 permitssolution to be supplied to bristles 120 regardless of the orientation ofthe toothbrush, i.e., the dispenser mechanism of the powered toothbrushoperates successfully whether oriented horizontally, vertically,inverted, etc.

It will also be appreciated that, as solution is drawn out of bladder255, housing passageway 285 (FIGS. 18, 19, 20 and 21) permits air toenter the interior of housing 265, whereby bladder 255 may easilyrelease its fluid.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that if, between brushing, thepowered toothbrush should be laid down in a horizontal position whileoral solution is in cartridge 217, no solution will leak from thetoothbrush because of the two check valve construction of pump 210.

When the solution in cartridge 217 has been completely used up, or whenit is thereafter desired to use a different cartridge 217 (e.g., onecontaining a different type of solution), cartridge 217 is detached fromsolution dispenser 200, whereupon a new cartridge 217 may be inserted.

As noted above, in one form of the invention solution dispenser 200 isintended to be permanently attached to, or formed integral with, poweredtoothbrush handle 15, e.g., such as at the time of the manufacture ofpowered toothbrush handle 15. Such a construction is shown in FIGS.8-10.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIGS. 22-38, dispenser 200 may besnap-mounted onto handle 15, or otherwise attached to handle 15, aftermanufacture of handle 15, e.g., by the user. Such a construction can beadvantageous since it permits an existing powered toothbrush handle 15to be retroactively converted into a solution dispensing poweredtoothbrush. Where dispenser 200 is to be snap-mounted onto handle 15, orotherwise attached to handle 15, after manufacture, dispenser 200 mayinclude a pair of supports 200A and 200B (FIG. 22) for the connection tohandle 15 (FIG. 28). In use, dispenser 200 is first secured to handle 15(FIG. 33), as by sliding the handle 15 through the supports 200A, 200B,until the handle 15 is engaged by a leaf spring 296. Replaceable head100 is then mounted to handle 15 and dispenser 200 (FIGS. 34 and 35),and then oral solution cartridge 217 is installed in dispenser 200(FIGS. 36-38).

These and other variations of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

1. A disposable oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to apre-assembled, self-contained, reusable powered toothbrush handle havinga closed front end and having a drive coupling disposed thereon, theapparatus comprising: a housing adapted for releasable attachment to thehandle, the housing extending alongside, and parallel to, at least aportion of the length of the handle, said housing being adapted toreceive a consumable cartridge containing the oral solution; amanually-operated dispensing pump connected to said housing for movingthe oral solution from the cartridge; an outlet nozzle connected to thedispensing pump and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution fromsaid pump; and a head comprising a longitudinally extending stem havinga distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the stem havingbristles thereon and the proximal end of the stem being adapted toreleasably interconnect with the handle, the stem having a lengthsufficient to significantly space the bristles from the handle, the stemhaving a passageway extending between a distal opening located on thedistal end of the stem adjacent to the bristles and a proximal openinglocated on the proximal end of the stem, the proximal end of the stemreleasably interconnecting with the drive coupling of the handle suchthat the drive coupling of the handle can move the stem and hence thebristles, and the proximal end of the stem releasably interconnectingthe proximal opening of the passageway with the outlet nozzle of thehandle for delivering the oral solution from the cartridge to thebristles; wherein said housing is adapted to slidably receive the handletherein; wherein said housing is provided with a spring lock forreleasably locking the handle in said housing.
 2. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said pump is provided with an inletneedle extending therefrom and adapted to penetrate a distal end of thecartridge to place said pump in communication with the oral solution inthe cartridge.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein theinlet needle extends into the cartridge less than half the length of thecartridge.
 4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pumpis provided with a flexible wall and is operable by manually compressingand releasing the flexible wall.
 5. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said head is provided with a first connector forconnecting with the handle drive coupling and a second connector forconnecting with the outlet nozzle.
 6. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 5 wherein said head is provided with a fluid conduit extendingfrom the head second connector to proximate the bristles.
 7. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing is providedwith a recess with biased detents therein for releasably holding thecartridge in the housing recess.
 8. An oral solution dispenser apparatusfor attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive couplingmounted thereon, the apparatus comprising: a housing adapted forattachment to the handle, said housing being adapted to receive acartridge containing the oral solution; a pump disposed on said housingfor moving the oral solution from the cartridge; an outlet nozzlemounted on said housing and adapted to permit movement of the oralsolution from said pump and from said housing; and a head havingbristles thereon and adapted to interconnect with the handle drivecoupling and said housing outlet nozzle; whereby to facilitate poweredmovement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from saidoutlet nozzle to proximate the bristles, wherein said housing is adaptedto slidably receive the handle therein, and wherein said housing isprovided with a spring lock for releasably locking the handle in saidhousing.
 9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said pumpis provided with an inlet needle extending therefrom and adapted topenetrate a distal end of the cartridge to place said pump incommunication with the oral solution in the cartridge.
 10. The apparatusin accordance with claim 9 wherein the inlet needle extends into thecartridge less than half the length of the cartridge.
 11. The apparatusin accordance with claim 8 wherein said pump is provided with a flexiblewall and is operable by manually compressing and releasing the flexiblewall.
 12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said head isprovided with a first connector for connecting with the handle drivecoupling and a second connector for connecting with said outlet nozzle.13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said head isprovided with a fluid conduit extending from the head second connectorto proximate the bristles.
 14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8wherein said housing is provided with a recess with biased detentstherein for releasably holding the cartridge in the housing recess. 15.A disposable oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to apre-assembled, self-contained, reusable powered toothbrush handle havinga closed front end and having a drive coupling disposed thereon, theapparatus comprising: a housing adapted for manual attachment to anddetachment from the handle, the housing, when attached to the handle,extending alongside, and parallel to, at least a portion of the lengthof the handle, said housing being adapted to receive a consumablecartridge containing the oral solution; a manually-operated dispensingpump connected to said housing for moving the oral solution from thecartridge; an outlet nozzle connected to the dispensing pump and adaptedto permit movement of the oral solution from said pump; and a headcomprising a longitudinally extending stem having a distal end and aproximal end, the distal end of the stem having bristles thereon and theproximal end of the stem being adapted to be manually connected to anddisconnected from the handle, the stem having a length sufficient tosignificantly space the bristles from the handle, the stem having apassageway extending between a distal opening located on the distal endof the stem adjacent to the bristles and a proximal opening located onthe proximal end of the stem, the proximal end of the stem beingmanually connectable with and disconnectable from the drive coupling ofthe handle such that, when interconnected, the drive coupling of thehandle can move the stem and hence the bristles, and the proximal end ofthe stem selectively interconnecting the proximal opening of thepassageway with the outlet nozzle of the handle for delivering the oralsolution from the cartridge to the bristles; wherein said housing isadapted to slidably receive the handle therein; wherein said housing isprovided with a spring lock for releasably locking the handle in saidhousing.
 16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said pumpis provided with an inlet needle extending therefrom and adapted topenetrate a distal end of the cartridge to place said pump incommunication with the oral solution in the cartridge.
 17. The apparatusin accordance with claim 16 wherein the inlet needle extends into thecartridge less than half the length of the cartridge.
 18. The apparatusin accordance with claim 15 wherein said pump is provided with aflexible wall and is operable by manually compressing and releasing theflexible wall.
 19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 15 whereinsaid head is provided with a first connector for connecting with thehandle drive coupling and a second connector for connecting with saidoutlet nozzle.
 20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 19 whereinsaid head is provided with a fluid conduit extending from the headsecond connector to proximate the bristles.
 21. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 15 wherein said housing is provided with a recesswith biased detents therein for releasably holding the cartridge in thehousing recess.